CORE fleet models such as the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra in the upper medium segment are the only sector of the used car market to report increased used values over last January. Average used car values in all sectors are down on last January's figures with the exception of upper medium models, which have reported a 0.2% increase.

Figures from the CAP Motor Research Index show that year- on-year values for January are down by an average of 5.3% across the sectors with supermini values down 6.1%, lower medium down 7.8%, executive down 9.8%, MPVs down 3.3% and sports cars down 5.7%.Four-wheel drive model values are also falling regardless of vehicle condition or mileage, with figures down 6% on last January. Petrol-engined versions are particularly unpopular with the used market now wanting only diesel-engined 4x4s.